Poems From The Porch
Great blue heron landing on the shore
Five noisy ducks congregating beside me
Nimble mosquito hawks hunting over placid water
Eurasian collared-dove heard, but not seen
Clicking, buzzing, tweeting, and croaking, pervading the moist air
Wet, fertile fragrance emanating from the green richness
Beingness coming to life by seeing deeply
I am offering a gift today,
the gift of my loving attention.
And I am opening my heart to allow the unique charism of All That Is to bathe my eyes with light.
Watering, nurturing, and encouraging the seed of the kingdom of Love within me,
I am feeling it sprout tender shoots of innocence and joy.
This is how I am caring for the wilting flowers,
harvesting beauty from the compost of potential
that suffering provides.
Engaging With The Poem
Poetry can be a doorway to the soul and your own creativity. Throughout the ages, the written word has been used as a means to access personal truth and as a vehicle for prayer through the practice of sacred reading (lectio divina). I encourage you to try this beautiful practice and let its truths to be self-evident.
How To Practice Sacred Reading
Read+Reflect+Respond+Rest
READ the passage through slowly more than once, noticing how it feels in your body and the response of your heart.
REFLECT: What word resonates with you? What phrase speaks to you? What overall personal meaning comes to you? Allow yourself to follow a tangent.
RESPOND by making space for the prayer of your heart to manifest. Write down the words and/or phrases that resonate with you, and allow them to arrange themselves into your own poem or prayer.
REST with your eyes closed, perhaps using the word that most resonates with you as your mantra for silent meditation.
Dear friend,
May your mind be peaceful and calm,
may your body be relaxed and comfortable,
and may your heart be filled with love.
Thank you for reading.
Blessings and gratitude,
Ani
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